Depth
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Home/ Dive Sites/ JU88 South
Off Marsaskala, SE Malta · Technical CCR/Trimix · ~106m

Junkers JU88 South
106m, SE Malta

A second Junkers Ju 88 resting at approximately 106m, several kilometres off Marsaskala in southeast Malta. This is a completely separate aircraft from the JU88 North at Bahar ic-Caghaq. At 106m it is significantly deeper, requiring closed-circuit rebreather operations for any useful bottom time. Malta's southeast coast holds a concentration of deep wartime aviation wrecks. The JU88 South, the Martin Maryland, and the SS Le Polynesien are all within the same operational area.

35°53.118'N · 14°37.974'E | Off Marsaskala, SE Malta
106m
Max Depth
100m
Min Depth
WWII
Year Lost
20-30m
Visibility
CCR/Trimix
Cert Req.
17-27°C
Water Temp
Book This Dive Dive Conditions
100m
Min Depth
106m
Max Depth
CCR/Trimix
Level
20-30m
Avg. Visibility
Boat
Entry Type
May-Oct
Best Season
Site Profile

JU88 South: aircraft at 106m

  • WWII 1942-1943
    Junkers Ju 88s operated throughout the Siege of Malta in multiple roles: bombing, torpedo attacks, and reconnaissance. This aircraft was lost over the sea in the Marsaskala area during operations.
  • Post-war
    The considerable depth (106m) protected the wreck from any salvage or fishing interaction. It lay undisturbed on the sand for decades.
  • Discovery
    Confirmed during Malta's systematic deep-water archaeological survey programme. Identified as a separate aircraft from the JU88 North already documented off Bahar ic-Caghaq.
  • Today
    Resting at approximately 106m on sand. The Ju 88's twin-fin tail and twin-engine configuration make it a substantial aircraft to survey at depth. Gas planning must reflect the actual bottom time available at this depth; it is not a quick visit.

Malta hosts two diveable Junkers Ju 88 wrecks. The JU88 North at 55m off Bahar ic-Caghaq is within extended range for qualified technical divers on open circuit. The JU88 South at 106m off Marsaskala is only achievable on CCR or with extensive Trimix planning. Both wrecks represent the same type of aircraft in a very different preservation and access context. See also the Junkers JU88 North at 55m for a comparison dive.

DEPTH PROFILE · JU88 SOUTH · MARSASKALA
SURFACE 0m 50m 100m 106m 20m
Points of Interest

JU88 South: what to survey at depth

Junkers JU88 South fuselage at 104m off Marsaskala Malta
104m

Fuselage

Main body of the aircraft. The Ju 88's fuselage is long and narrow at approximately 14m. The crew positions (pilot, observer, and two gunners) are arranged in the forward section and can be identified on a careful pass.

Twin Jumo 211 engine nacelles on Junkers JU88 South Malta
102-104m

Twin Engines

Both Jumo 211 engines remain in their underwing nacelles. The nacelles extend forward of the wing leading edge and are visible on approach from above, serving as useful orientation markers when descending to the aircraft.

JU88 South twin-fin tail assembly at 106m Malta
106m

Twin-Fin Tail

Maximum depth. The characteristic Ju 88 twin-fin tail. Both fins and rudders are visible. The elevator span is over 6m, making this the widest element of the wreck and the clearest identifier of aircraft type.

JU88 South bomb bay doors at 103m Marsaskala Malta
103m

Bomb Bay

The Ju 88 carried bombs internally in a distinctive side-by-side configuration rather than the stacked arrangement of contemporaries. The bomb bay doors are present and distinguish the Ju 88 from other WWII aircraft types at these depths.

Dive Site Card

Collect the card.

Junkers JU88 South Deep Wreck Malta dive site card
Dive Conditions

When to dive JU88 South

MonthWater TempVisibilityConditions
Jan-Mar15-17°C15-25mFeasible with CCR. SE Malta exposed to NE swells.
Apr-Jun17-22°C20-30mImproving conditions. Best visibility window opens.
Jul-Sep24-27°C25-30mPeak season. Stable surface conditions, max visibility.
Oct-Dec19-23°C20-28mGood through October. Conditions variable from November.
Summer visibility
Winter visibility

Currents

SE Malta open water. Variable depending on weather systems. Check before descent. Strong currents can develop without warning in offshore conditions. Current assessment at surface level is mandatory before committing to depth.

Entry / Exit

Boat entry only. Several kilometres offshore. Surface conditions can deteriorate faster than forecast in this area. Confirm sea state at the site before gearing up. No shore access option exists.

Equipment Notes

CCR mandatory for practical bottom time. OC Trimix with full decompression and bailout gas possible for experienced teams. Torch required. SMB mandatory. Lift bag and spool for each diver. Redundant buoyancy on CCR.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

CCR Mandatory

106m on open circuit delivers minimal no-decompression time and is impractical for any survey work. CCR or OC Trimix with full decompression and bailout gas planning is mandatory for this site.

Confirm the correct site GPS

Two JU88 wrecks exist off Malta. JU88 North is at 55m off Bahar ic-Caghaq. JU88 South is at 106m off Marsaskala. These are different aircraft in different locations requiring different technical preparation. Confirm GPS before descent.

Decompression planning

106m requires extensive decompression. Plan for 60-90 minutes total ascent time on CCR. Deco gas must be confirmed and in place before descent. No improvisation at this depth.

Bailout planning

Full open-circuit bailout gas for a complete ascent from 106m is required. Minimum two bailout cylinders per CCR diver. Bailout gas must cover the full decompression schedule from bottom depth.

Surface support

Dedicated support boat required. VHF radio, DAN emergency kit, pre-arranged hyperbaric contact, and a competent surface tender familiar with technical dive operations at this depth.

Emergency contacts

Mater Dei Hospital hyperbaric chamber, Malta. Pre-dive notification of chamber availability recommended. DAN Europe emergency line confirmed before departure. Surface support to have all contacts available throughout the dive.

Book This Dive

Dive JU88 South with diveshack

The JU88 South at 106m is a demanding technical dive requiring CCR or full Trimix planning. diveshack operates dedicated technical dive support for this site, with experienced guide divers who know the aircraft and the conditions off Marsaskala. This is not the same dive as the JU88 North; confirm your booking is for the correct site.

Contact diveshack to discuss your technical qualifications, gas planning, and logistics before committing to this site. Group size for technical dives at 106m is strictly limited.

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Tec dive package for this site:

Note: The JU88 South at 106m off Marsaskala is a completely separate wreck from the JU88 North at 55m off Bahar ic-Caghaq. Different aircraft. Different depth. Different location. Different requirements.